Sodom is one of the most popular German thrash bands out there, so the expectations of the tireless fans were very high. If you think about Sodom's extensive discography, it is very difficult to live up to some of their most amazing moments in the past. After Bernemann being in the band for 20 years at this point, it was reasonably questioned whether they can still come up with something new that's still original, true to the genre, and exciting. The answer is obvious: Yes, they could.
To call the album a "pleasant surprise" would be an understatement. The record takes off with the screaming "In Retribution" that leaves smoking tire marks behind itself. At this point, I was still afraid that this is the only moment of energy and power of the entry, as there is nothing more common than albums with one or two great songs on them, and the rest being sheer garbage when it comes to old thrash metal bands like Sodom. But praise the non-existent Lord, they did not let off the gas. The album is amazing from beginning to end. It is heavy, destructive, original, and perfectly fitting into Sodom's discography.
Highlights include the aforementioned "In Retribution" which includes some really impressive and ripping riffage. Other songs such as "Decision Day", "Who is God?" and "Blood Lions" make the best moments of the record, but there really is almost no filler in this beast of a disc. There is a little bit of everything. Faster songs, more mid-paced ones, moderately fast ones, whichever kind of thrash you prefer, there will be at least one song that you will be able to enjoy.
The musicianship is great. I would not call this extraordinarily outstanding or hugely groundbreaking or something like that, it really is not. However, the members are NOT doing the bare minimum, unlike many other thrash veterans. They are giving it all they got. Bernemann's riffs are tireless and endurant like no other thrash guitarist's riffs who has been at it for this long. Somehow, the songs he writes are still not boring. They are very enjoyable, and colorful as well. Even melodic is an appropriate word. Angelripper's performance, is ass-kicking like usual. He literally never disappoints. The drummer Makka is also doing a highly respectable job. This is no job that any ol' drummer would be able to get done. All three members are putting on a show, and for a three-piece, at this day and age, by these guys, this is a damn good work to say the least.
Production-wise, I think they nailed it. Sodom's sounding has always been changing as they evolved, particularly from the 80s to the beginning of the 2000s. In the mid-2000s, they found a good trademark sound that they could stick to, and that tone has been with them since the self-titled release. I would not want this album any other way. The bass is audible which is rare in modern thrash albums, the guitar tone is heavy and thick, the drums are pounding and loud, there is no issue with it. The best thing about this production is the kick drum. It is very audible and emphasizes how well it is used by Makka.
Sodom is a band that wrote some of the best, most memorable lyrics in thrash metal. Just think of "Nuclear Winter" or "Agent Orange". Since this album is mostly about war, their favorite topic, you can expect some awesome lyrics here as well. I would not call the lyrics as outstanding as they are in the aforementioned two songs, but nonetheless, they are lightyears ahead of some of the lyrics that other old thrash bands wrote at this time. "We're so fucked! Shit outta luck" for example. If you don't know what song that is from, don't worry about it. Feel lucky until you don't.
Decision Day is one awesome album. One of the best albums that 80s thrash veterans released in the near past. There can be no complaints about this record. As fans of this band, having listened to their albums more than once, we knew what to expect, and we got it, PLUS some more. The band managed to exceed our expectations, which is damn respectable after more than 30 years of its existence. I would imagine this is not for everyone, but Sodom knew that their fanatics will enjoy it, and that's exactly what matters after all.
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